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Fears for democracy if people don't vote

THE democratic process is at risk because of the number of people who are not registered to vote, according to Northwich councillors.

Hundreds of households in Northwich town centre have no right to say who they want to see in power because they have not signed the Register of Electors.

Figures were revealed by Clr Brian Jamieson at the latest Northwich Town Council meeting.

“In December, 22 per cent of the 2,643 properties in Bridge ward had no registered electors in the property,” he said.

“That’s 589 of those properties not registered to vote.

“I know it’s not compulsory but it weakens the democratic process.

“Something needs to be done here.

“It was a bit of shock to see that so many properties aren’t registered.”

His views have been echoed by Julia Tickridge, the Labour candidate for the Weaver Vale seat, who fears that there are many groups, including young people, who are under-represented at elections.

“As the Labour Party candidate for Weaver Vale it was quite an eye-opener for me to learn that at the 2010 election the turnout across the constituency was only 66 per cent,” she said.

“This means that just two thirds of the people eligible to vote decided who the MP would be for everyone else.

“This is even more significant in key marginal constituencies like Weaver Vale where your vote could well determine which political party gets into government and sets the country’s agenda for the next five years.

“I strongly urge first time voters in Northwich who feel their interests are not being properly represented to register to vote.

“If you don’t vote, you can’t make your voice heard”

To register visit AboutmyVote.co.uk, or contact Cheshire West and Chester Council.

Comments

47thmoon
1:09pm Sun 16 Feb 14

well, lets look at the situation here. we are short of adequate housing options and this despicable government penalise us for bedrooms and expect us to put up with living space which is prison cell sized - so, obviously, councillors have spent years ignoring their responsibilities to read our Census / Council Questionaires and respond to them adequately and neither do they organise enough social services to care or protect us (even cut our benefits worked and paid for while self serving and enriching their own pensions and housing and fabricating expenses and ensuring their own offspring and sly partners enjoy life at the tax payers expense) and they wonder now why we, the public, have decided none of them are worth so much as a cross on a ballot paper?? Back to the drawing board and start again, councillors!!

well, lets look at the situation here. we are short of adequate housing options and this despicable government penalise us for bedrooms and expect us to put up with living space which is prison cell sized - so, obviously, councillors have spent years ignoring their responsibilities to read our Census / Council Questionaires and respond to them adequately and neither do they organise enough social services to care or protect us (even cut our benefits worked and paid for while self serving and enriching their own pensions and housing and fabricating expenses and ensuring their own offspring and sly partners enjoy life at the tax payers expense) and they wonder now why we, the public, have decided none of them are worth so much as a cross on a ballot paper?? Back to the drawing board and start again, councillors!!47thmoon

well, lets look at the situation here. we are short of adequate housing options and this despicable government penalise us for bedrooms and expect us to put up with living space which is prison cell sized - so, obviously, councillors have spent years ignoring their responsibilities to read our Census / Council Questionaires and respond to them adequately and neither do they organise enough social services to care or protect us (even cut our benefits worked and paid for while self serving and enriching their own pensions and housing and fabricating expenses and ensuring their own offspring and sly partners enjoy life at the tax payers expense) and they wonder now why we, the public, have decided none of them are worth so much as a cross on a ballot paper?? Back to the drawing board and start again, councillors!!

Score: 1

Northwich Lover
1:40pm Sun 16 Feb 14

A bit rich - lectures on democracy from the Town Council, most of whom were not elected including Mr Jamieson

A bit rich - lectures on democracy from the Town Council, most of whom were not elected including Mr JamiesonNorthwich Lover

A bit rich - lectures on democracy from the Town Council, most of whom were not elected including Mr Jamieson

Score: 4

Cymo
11:36pm Mon 17 Feb 14

I have voted in every single election since I became eligible, as a matter of principle, however I quite understand why people don't bother, as there is no longer any difference between the major parties - they are all guilty of short-termism, cronyism, and total lack of understanding of normal people.

I have voted in every single election since I became eligible, as a matter of principle, however I quite understand why people don't bother, as there is no longer any difference between the major parties - they are all guilty of short-termism, cronyism, and total lack of understanding of normal people.Cymo

I have voted in every single election since I became eligible, as a matter of principle, however I quite understand why people don't bother, as there is no longer any difference between the major parties - they are all guilty of short-termism, cronyism, and total lack of understanding of normal people.

Score: 4

Northwich Lover
9:05am Tue 18 Feb 14

Well said Cymo. I've always voted too but respect people's right not to be interested or motivated.

Well said Cymo. I've always voted too but respect people's right not to be interested or motivated.Northwich Lover

Well said Cymo. I've always voted too but respect people's right not to be interested or motivated.

Score: 3

MrT1976
3:10pm Tue 18 Feb 14

Quote.......

“If you don’t vote, you can’t make your voice heard”

and if you do vote no one listens anyway.

Quote.......
“If you don’t vote, you can’t make your voice heard”
and if you do vote no one listens anyway.MrT1976

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